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Choosing The Correct Career Path

Senior Secondary school is a time for real transition for teenagers, as they move into adulthood and are expected to deal with an additional baggage of issues relating to work, careers, and college apart from the confusions and curiosities that they go usually through during teenage. However, this time should not be just a time for challenge but it should also facilitate growth.

The economic and political growth of India, today, is being recognized globally and education has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in it. Education plays a vital role in facilitating social and economic progress in a country and it also provides humongous opportunities to students for personal as well as professional growth.

When it comes to choosing careers, Indians have been known to resort towards the more lucrative and “safer” fields such as engineering, law, teaching and medicine. With the numerous developments in technology and the acceptance of these developments and the many emerging fields, finding the right match has become of paramount importance. Choosing the right career option from a pool of variety of options, thus, has become really tough for the student and the parents as well. Moreover, with the growing variety and availability of courses and certificate programs in different subjects, students are able to discover different paths to realize their careers. Social media and films have had their share in influencing today’s students to break out of the monotony of choosing safe careers and to pursue their dreams and the paths less trodden. However, today, it has become a requisite to have a keen interest, aptitude, and a passion for the job one wishes to have.  

Tips on choosing the right career path –

# Discover Yourself

Finding something interesting is one of the most important things to do. Take time out to learn about your interests, skills and likes and dislikes. Knowing what interests you and what you are good at are an imperative step in deciding a career path.

# Research Careers

It is also necessary to know about the different career options available while opting for a glorified career option. Once you discover what you enjoy doing and what you can do well, you can begin exploring career options and fields that incorporate your interests and skills as well as the education needed, average salary earned, and potential job openings.

# Visit a Career Counselor

It is profitable to seek a professional’s help while deciding the correct career path as a career counselor can help you clear your mind, suggest potential career options, and help you choose a career path best suited for you based on your aptitude, interests and skills.

# Interview Professionals

Interviewing people already working in the fields of your interest and getting to know their experiences may also be helpful. Contact someone you know who is already working in a field you are interested in and ask them about their routine, experiences and for guidance.

# Volunteer or Intern

Get an internship in your field of interest or if you are not sure of wanting to commit to an internship of several months you could consider volunteering. This would help you get a feel of what it is like to work in a particular field and also to narrow down your field of opportunity and acquire skills that could be useful in different paths as well.

# Do not Settle

In case you have been searching hard and continue to be confused about what you want to do, do not give up and do not settle for something that is dissatisfying. While studying in a particular field sometimes you would be able to figure out whether you are interested in pursuing it further or not.

# Change Paths

If you think that a particular stream is not of your interest, it is never too late to switch paths. It is normal to have several careers throughout a lifetime. Choose the one you are most passionate about.

You do not have to decide your entire course of life in a span of two three years. Take your time. However, it is important to realize that the more effort you put into and the more dedicated you are towards your search for the right career, the more you are bound to get out of it. But do not forget to enjoy your time while in school. The time from our childhood to teenage years help us become who we are and the memories and the bonds that we share with the people we meet during this time are lifelong. Irrespective of the path one chooses, one must always be open to learning and growing.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of mycity4kids. Any omissions or errors are the author's and mycity4kids does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.